KIRKUS REVIEW

“Coming soon!…A boy is going to fly!
Do you believe it?…Will you be there???”

A spate of mysterious announcement
letters just like that, each accompanied by its own feather, circulate around
Lambourn Secondary School. Narrator Alex Meadows is at first fearful but then
becomes intrigued, welcoming the distraction from the usual routine. While he
has been successfully employing a don’t-react strategy against the provocations
of bullies like Alan Tydman, his neighbor David “Bogsy” Marsh chooses the
opposite tactic and suffers for it. Alex eventually discovers that Bogsy is the
one sending the notes as they navigate their emerging friendship, confront
their tormentor, and ultimately participate in what becomes the Icarus Show.
Alex’s warm relationship with his elderly neighbors plays a significant role
when one, learning that Bogsy is in serious trouble, gives helpful advice and
summons his real-life Daedulus to save the day. With Alex’s chatty narration,
Christie employs an ambitious and promising story structure and some cinematic
imagery, laced with British nuance. Although development between plot points is
occasionally heavy-handed or lacking in depth, the overall message will
resonate. Alex is silent on matters of race; readers will likely infer that he
and his classmates are white.

Be the first to discover new talent!
Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in our Pro Connect email alert.
Sign up here to receive your FREE alerts.